OUR traditional Stoke Prior singalong, coupled with supper organised by Thelma Roll, gave the opportunity to congratulate her on her award of the MBE for services rendered to the community, as we enjoyed ourselves.

The Rev Wyn Beynon encapsulates the community spirit and we are indeed fortunate to welcome him and his wife as our spiritual leaders.

A review of the year included the highly successful I Steam Fair, organised by Keith Shakespeare, who also assisted chairman John Ellis and the parish council in an excellent summer fête.

The review also included the inauguration of the John Corbett Walk and the opening of the children’s play area, Stoke Prior First School achieving the highest grading, ‘outstanding,’ in the Ofsted report, the British Legion Social afternoon and Bath Christmas trip, and thanking all helpers in the Poppy Day appeal.

With thriving business parks, Avoncroft Museum, a lovely countryside, a low crime area, we welcome the challenge posed by PolkymerLatex development, while resisting the proposed cuts in our village bus services on which so many depend.

Our communication system, with regular surgeries at The Shac, ensures that all are kept informed – preferably face-to-face – and merits investigation by others.

JOHN TIDMARSH Bromsgrove District Councillor